Parmelee, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Parmelee, South Dakota had a total population of 584, the 137th largest community in South Dakota. The poverty rate is 84.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (84.9%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 9.3% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 12.5% is notably above the national average.
Parmelee Quick Facts
How Parmelee Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 637 | 584 | -8.3% |
How Parmelee Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 35 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Parmelee Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Todd County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rosebud | 1,659 | $55,135 | 38.2% | $81,300 |
| Mission | 1,539 | N/A | 44.0% | $65,900 |
| Antelope | 706 | $20,786 | 72.2% | N/A |
| St. Francis | 593 | $42,083 | 34.1% | N/A |
| Spring Creek | 330 | N/A | 93.3% | N/A |
| Two Strike | 257 | $24,315 | 49.4% | N/A |
| Sicangu Village | 245 | N/A | 55.5% | N/A |
| White Horse | 238 | $39,609 | 9.7% | $9,999 |
| Soldier Creek | 201 | $2,499 | 84.6% | N/A |
| Okreek | 195 | N/A | 66.1% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Parmelee
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shindler | 579 | $146,154 | $617,600 | 41.4% | 0.0% |
| St. Francis | 593 | $42,083 | N/A | 24.4% | 34.1% |
| Tripp | 574 | $59,167 | $66,300 | 20.0% | 16.3% |
| Highmore | 596 | $103,017 | $151,800 | 19.5% | 5.2% |
| Lake Preston | 596 | $52,396 | $130,000 | 13.7% | 17.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 584, Parmelee's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Parmelee is a small community located in South Dakota, within Todd County. The total population is 584. It ranks as the 137th most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Parmelee is 17.2 years. This is 55% lower than the state median of 38.0 years. With 52.9% of the population under 18, Parmelee has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 84.9%. This is 612% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.9%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 12.5%. This is 327% higher than the state rate of 2.9%. Every occupied housing unit the survey reached in Parmelee was renter-occupied. At this sample size that indicates no owner-occupied homes were captured rather than that none exist.
Race & Ethnicity
Parmelee is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.1%) is well below the state average of 4.8%.
Education
9.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 71% lower than the state rate of 31.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 77.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Parmelee, South Dakota is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against South Dakota state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Parmelee, South Dakota?
Parmelee, South Dakota has a population of 584 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Parmelee, SD?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Parmelee — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Parmelee, SD?
The poverty rate in Parmelee is 84.9%. This means approximately 496 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Parmelee, South Dakota?
Parmelee's population is 0.0% White, 0.0% Black, 2.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Parmelee, SD?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Parmelee — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Parmelee, South Dakota?
9.3% of adults (25+) in Parmelee hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.